Horace lived and wrote in the time of Augustus – an age of unprecedented change. Throughout his prolific life, the poet witnessed Rome’s transition from a republic to an empire and observed the establishment of a dynasty that was to rule Rome until the reign of Nero.
An ingenious lyricist, he used many episodes and instances from his private life as subject matter for his extraordinary poems. His themes included politics, philosophy, love, friendship, as well as the fundamental purpose of art itself. In addition to his many poetic accomplishments, he is also considered the first to coin the popular phrase ‘carpe diem’.
